www.CostaRicaTicas.com

What do you all think about high cigarette taxes and smoking bans in public places(bars, restaurants, clubs)?

What is the tax amount charged on cigarettes in Costa Rica?

Maybe increasing the tax on cigarettes would be a great way for the government to make some additional revenue rather than taxing foreign investors.($2-3 tax per pack of cigarettes)

I know that California, New York, and Florida have some laws similar to this.

I do not know what the tax rate, if any, the government of Costa Rica levies on cigarettes but it is nowhere close to the amounts the states charge in the US.

I do not smoke but understand a pack of cigarettes is about 500 colones ($1.00). Many Ticos being poor buy their cigarettes 1 at a time from the kiosks on the street corners. Given the level of poverty I do not think a politician would try to raise revenue with an unpopular tax. There is no political capital in raising taxes on the poor to help wealthy foreign investors.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

As a smoker myself , I am personally tired of being the tax target for every lame-ass politician who dosen't have the balls or imagination to go after any other group. I think it's absurd that I have to tolerate this injustice right here in N.C. where tobacco has been such an important crop for so long. Costa Rica does NOT need to follow the lead of any "PC" states. That would suck just a bit too much.

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"With foxes, we must play the fox." ~ Thomas Fuller

With the number of smokers in Costa Rica there is no way any political party would indorse this type of law. It would be political suicide.

X

Here's a horrible idea. A pack of smokes in chicago now costs $8 with recent tax hikes What a rip off!!!! Where is the money going? Government workers who show up to work and read the funnies and clip coupons all day. I hope this won't happen in CR, because that is the daily wage for many.

I'm a smoker on and off. Even, when I didn't smoke, I thought the whole tax hike was bullshit. The person who started this thread should repost on an American site.

I heard a chicago cop complain and say "why don't we legalize marijuana and tax that???"

I will snap if smokes cost more than $2 in CR.

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In order to write about life, first you must live it! - E. Hemingway.

this is what we call and ad hominem argument, it sets it up so that if one disagrees, they of coruse have no balls...Also, so easy to discount the opinions of others by refering to them as PC. I think it is just good social policy, for a variety of reasons that I won't go into here, as politics really has no place.

Your accusations would be like me calling all smokers drug addicted lackies of big tabacco. Of course, this is a narrow assesment, and people have many reasons for smoking, right?

No problem arguing a policy, but don't make assumptions about all those who disagree with your position. And, I agree that it would not work in CR given the current cultural/political make up of the country.

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

YO Psychman:
You make a valid point. I certainly know the repercussions of smoking. first hand. Since I am a reformed smoker lets's carry your idea to a more extended level since you consider it a "good social policy" in your words. Taxing cigs and alcohol in the U.S. has become a very popular way for government to pilfer money from those who cater to so called "bad habits." Perhaps CR should follow suit.

Why stop at that in CR. Let them tax professional bar ladies of sex, massage parlor ladies, street ladies and the bunch.....that would also be "good social policy." I would think in relation to a synonymous revenue that would certainly qualify . What a tangled web we can eventually weave. I just hope they don't tax jacking off......I'm in debt already.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

Getting ridiculous in Cook County (Chicago and surrounding area for you non Chicagoans), I walked into my neighborhood smoke shop here in Palatine and was told the new tax has pushed the price over 6.50 per pack and this is a discount place...

I know in the CHICAGO city limits the price is over 8.00 per pack now.

Luckily I live close to Lake County where I can purchase a carton for 35.00 (3.50 per pack)

As per my norm, I purchase several carton in Duty Free per year on my trips south of the border and have also had friends do the same for me on their trips. Hard to beat roughly 70.00 for 5 cartons. Yes I know they are not the same, but WTF...

If this does push me to quit, I do not know what will......

You missed the point circus, and like I said, I am not going to even dsicuss the reasons for my beliefs; not the place for it. I will just say that your jerking off does not cause any increases in my insurence premiums. I just think it is goofy to discount right off everyone who does not agree as having no balls..

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I said hey baby, take a walk on the wild side.
Lou Reed

I'm on your side Shawn4DelRey. As we all know (Or at least most of us)what the politicians will favor. Don't smoke here, Can't smoke there, In Florida 3 years ago they (The Politicians) put on the voting ballot to ban smoking indoors, Also know as the clean indoor air act. Well, Guess what? It passed somehow. Maybe all those TV adds sponsered by. Guess who? I'm a smoker and thats my choice NOT theirs. Most of them don't have the balls to go after other entities guess why again? Campaign Contributions, One big pay off, or bribe as I would call it. Ever see who's smoking outside at lunch on our Capital Hill? I have. Guess who? (The Politicians). Shawn keep sticking up for your rights my friend, we are loosing them at an alarming rate. Take Care.

Lionking

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"You can only keep a secret between two people if the other one is dead." Ben Franklin

Just my 2 colones,but add up what you spend on smokes for the year.I'm sure thats at least one trip to CR. $5 a pack x 365 days.I quit 4 years ago.

Excellent point, no argument here......

Shawn,

I grew up in NC and I don't agree with sin taxes but not because I am a smoker. I am not and never have smoked. I saw what tobacco does to a person at a early age but that is not the reason that I'm against sin tax. I'm just tired of paying taxes on the money when I make it, when I spend it, and when I keep it. I'm sure you guys as smokers are as well.


X

Smoker - 40 yrs - Terminal emphysema:

Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it at least 200 times.


Shawn4DelRey writes:



Psychman writes:



I didn't read Shawn's statement that everyone that has a different opinion than he has no balls. His point, and one with which I agree, along with Circus, is that the politicans don't have the balls to tax anything except for those things which we term "sin taxes." An easy choice....you get the revenue and it makes you a hero in the eyes of the voters who disagree with the sin.

How about a special tax on every lobbiest dollar sent to bribe those 500+ putas sitting in DC called Congress. Or better yet, how about a tax on every politician who lies, or answers a legitimate question evasively.
We could retire the National Debt on that alone.

I'm not making a political statement here, and agree this is not the proper forum, but it's time to look at those things that are taxed and those that are not. Special Taxes on: Booze, cigarettes, Leather goods, Airline tickets, Telephones, Amusements.

Now compare those 700+ MAJOR corporations who in 2004 paid absolutely no taxes whatsoever: See General Electric as a perfect example.

The thread was about taxes and I hope I haven't strayed too far off course.

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69 isn't just a number, it's a way of life

YO Psychman:
I understood what you were saying....just having a little fun with it. But the disparity in taxes are a sore point with me and I concur with what El Lamero stated, especially about the congressional banditos. And don't even get me started on the entire insurance industry, medical, life, home, business, workman's comp, liability, auto and those damn frivolous lawsuits.....talk about paying for other people's problems.

Amigos, I think we will soon see an influx of additional gringo-foreigner related taxes in CR along with the primary service and sales tax increasing. Our beloved little country is in deep do do. But hell, theye're killing one another over water to drink in Kenya and not too long in the future we all may wonder if wiping that bird shit off the car window is life threatening. Damn, I'm depressed.

Come here Shitass and suck my toe you feline bitch. Geezzzz

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.